I'm particular about case length on heavy kickers like

by John K., Sunday, November 24, 2013, 09:18 (4022 days ago) @ Warhawk

454C and 500L. I keep them annealed and trimmed. Case prep is tedious.

SO, I use a 5C collet with stop in my lathe so the case is positioned relative to the base. Lock the carriage, put a tray between the spindle and carriage so that when the collet is opened the finished case drops into the tray. Put case in collet with right hand (making sure it is against the stop), close collet with left hand, run cross slide in and back out. Open collet and repeat.

Use similar method of cleaning primer pockets - chuck Sinclair carbide tool in lathe, leave lathe running with tray in same location, press case against tool until it stops cutting, drop in tray. Repeat.